LANSING, Mich.– The Michigan Credit Union Foundation (MCUF) has launched a relief fund to provide emergency grants to individuals facing hardship due to a devastating ice storm in Northern Michigan.

To start the fund, the Michigan Credit Union League (MCUL) and CUSG are donating a total of $10,000 to support those impacted.

“Many residents have been left without heat in freezing temperatures, while others are facing costly property damage from fallen trees and ice, loss of perishable food from prolonged outages and limited access to services or supplies due to blocked or unsafe roads. For some communities, recovery is expected to take weeks,” the foundation said. 

MCUF’s relief fund will provide $500 emergency grants to credit union members in communities hit hardest by the storm, which caused significant ice accumulation, prolonged power outages, blocked roads, and disrupted communication services.

“Credit unions have always been deeply connected to the needs of their communities,” MCUF Executive Director Andrea Tucker said in a statement. “The Michigan Credit Union Foundation is honored to support credit unions as they step up for their members and communities. These grants are designed to offer immediate relief during a time of great uncertainty, and we’re grateful to be a part of that effort.”

MCUF said 100% of contributions will go directly to impacted members, providing essential support for needs, such as essential foods, temporary housing, emergency supplies and home repairs.

“Credit unions have a long history of rising to the occasion when their communities are in need,” MCUL President/CEO Patty Corkery said in a statement. “This kind of collective action is a reminder of what the credit union movement stands for: compassion, service and a deep commitment to making a difference when it matters most. Through the MCUF relief fund, those values are being put into action to help individuals recover and move forward.”